Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Find A Grave Memorial : Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)

I've created a Find A Grave memorial for my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) who is buried in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN, along with his wife, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.



Virgil was born July 6, 1894 in Madison Co., IN and died March 25, 1972 in Madison Co., IN. He was the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright. Virgil married Edna Muriel Pierce on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN.

Gloria Wright Receives Highest Award - May 31, 1960



This photograph of Gloria Wright, with parents William Lee and Bonnie Mae (Lambertson) Wright, appeared on the front page of the Alexandria, IN Time-Tribune on Tuesday, May 31, 1960. Gloria was recognized for obtaining the Curved Bar, the highest award given in the Girl Scouts.

Obituary : Joseph Wright (1838-1919)

From: Alexandria, IN Times-Tribune, September 16, 1919



JOSEPH WRIGH DIES AT COUNTRY HOME SOUTH CITY



Well-Known Farmer of Madison County Expires This Afternoon After Illness of Heart Trouble - Was Oldest Member of Masonic Lodge Here


Joseph Wright, age eighty nine years, one of the best known farmers in Madison county, expired this afternoon at 12:40 o'clock, following an extended illness of heart trouble, at the home two miles south of Alexandria.
The funeral service will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home, in charge of the local lodge of Masons and burial will follow in the Odd Fellow cemetery here.
The surviving relatives are the wife, Mrs. Dorothy Wright, four sons, James, Charles, and John, all residing in this vicinity, and Edward Wright, of Columbia City, and one daughter, Mrs. Daisy Fox, of Anderson. Eighteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.
Mr. Wright came to Madison county as early as 1865 from Brown county Ohio. He settled on a farm south of the city, where he resided for a long number of years.
At the time of his death, Mr. Wright was the oldest member of the Alexandria lodge of Masons and that order will have full charge of the last sad rites on Thursday afternoon.



From : Alexandria Times-Tribune, September 18, 1919




Body of Joseph Wright Laid to Rest Today

With a large number of friends and relatives in attendance, the funeral of Joseph Wright, well known Monroe township farmer, who lived just south of the city for a great number of years, was conducted this afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home, in charge of the local lodge of Masons. The pallbearers were : Dr. A.E. Harlan, Dr. O.S. Coffin, V. Free, Riley Perry and George Kelly. Rev. George Winfrey preached the funeral service and burial followed in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960


This is a June 19, 1960 photograph of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright, taken for their 45th wedding anniversary.

Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960



This is a December 23, 1960 photograph of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.

50th Wedding Anniversary - Virgil & Edna Wright (1965)


This photograph was taken at the 50th wedding anniversary of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright. Pictured here with them are their grandchildren.
Front row : Jeff Webster, Alan Webster. Middle row : Charlie High, Virgil Wright, Edna Wright, Gloria Wright. Back row : Terry Wright, Phil High

Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1962


This 1962 photograph of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright appears to have been taken around Christmas time.

Virgil & Edna Wright with Barbara




This undated photograph shows Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright with daughter, Barbara Lou Wright.

Lafayette Twp. School Graduation - June 22, 1913





This is a June 22, 1913 photograph of the graduating class of the Lafayette Township school in Madison Co., IN. My maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel Pierce, is the third from the left.




Edna was the daughter of William Francis and Clara (Pennisten) Pierce.

Clara Ellen Wright & horse



This undated photograph shows my maternal great-aunt, Clara Ellen Wright with her horse, Daisy June.

Virgil Wright's Country School - Madison Co., IN



This undated photograph is of the school Virgil Lee Wright attended as a boy. Virgil is the third boy from the right. The school was located on 900 North beyond 300 West on the curve in the road.

Joseph Wright home - Ferguson Road


This undated photograph is of the Joseph Wright home on Ferguson Road, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN. Though not written on the back, I am assuming that Joseph and his second wife, Dortha, were the couple in the photograph.

Wright home - Orestes, IN


This undated photograph is of the house in Orestes, Madison Co., IN where Virgil Lee Wright was born. Unfortunately, the names of the family members outside are not written on the back.

Wright Family Reunion


This undated photograph is of a Wright family reunion, presumably held at the home of Joseph Wright on Ferguson Road.
The back of the photo identifies my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, as being in the first row, the first one from the right, standing with his mother behind him. Since Virgil was born in 1894, this reunion probably took place in the 1910s.

Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright


This undated photograph shows my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright, cooking dinner in the kitchen of their farmhouse.

Virgil Wright and Lawrence Spence



This undated photograph shows my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright with uncle Lawrence Spence. Lawrence was an uncle by marriage, being married to Jessie (Pennisten) Spence, the aunt of Virgil's wife, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright

Monday, July 07, 2008

Chester Arthur Wright & Virgil Lee Wright postcard






This photo postcard shows brothers Chester Arthur and Virgil Lee Wright, sons of John William and Ellen (King) Wright. The postcard appears to have been sent by their cousin Fred Wright. Unfortunately, I cannot make out the postmark to get the exact date.




Fred Wright was the son of Charles Riggs and Bertha (Leonard) Wright. He was a first cousin of Virgil and Chester.


Sunday, July 06, 2008

Lawrence & Jessie Spence with Charles High - 1947



This January 1947 photograph is of Jessie (Pennisten) Spence and husband Lawrence Spence, with great-grandnephew Charles High.
On the back of the photo is written "Aunt Jessie died Feb. 27 1948. Uncle Lawrence died Mar. 28 1961. This was 14 yrs. after this picture taken."
Jessie Pennisten was the daughter of John and Jane Ann (Alderman) Pennisten. Lawrence Spence was the son of Thomas and Suzan (Berry) Spence. Charles was the son of John and Clara Ellen (Wright) High.

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Wedding Day : Clara Ellen Wright & John High (December 8, 1945)




This photograph is of John High and Clara Ellen Wright's wedding, taken December 8, 1945. Standing with them is Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Clara Ellen's sister-in-law.


Barbara Wright & horse



This undated photograph shows my maternal greataunt, Barbara Wright, on her horse, which appears to be named "Babe", from the writing on the top of the photograph.

Barbara was the daughter of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.

Virgil Lee Wright



This undated photograph of my maternal great-grandfather Virgil Lee Wright shows him looking his best. The film appears to be from the same roll as the photos at his wife's funeral, so I wonder if that is when this photo was taken.

Wright Family Gathering



This undated photograph shows a Wright family gathering. In the front row, kneeling are Barbara Wright and Terry Wright. In the second row are Edna (Pierce) Wright, Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Clara (Wright) High and John High. In the third row are Virgil Wright and William Wright.

Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright





This undated photograph is of my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968).


Edna was the daughter of William Francis and Clara (Pennisten) Pierce.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Virgil Lee Wright (b. 1894)






These undated photographs are of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, born July 6, 1894 in Madison Co., IN, the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright.

50th Wedding Anniversary - Virgil & Edna Wright


This photograph was taken in June 1965 at a celebration honoring the 50th wedding anniversary of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright. They are pictured here with their children.

(L-R) Clara Ellen (Wright) High, Virgil Lee Wright, William Lee Wright, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright, Barbara Lou (Wright) Webster.

Virgil Lee Wright and Edna Muriel Pierce were married on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN.

Terry Wright, Gloria Wright & Charlie High photo



This undated photograph is of Terry Wright, holding sister Gloria Wright, along with cousin Charlie High. With the Christmas tree in the background, this photo must be taken around December 1947.

Wright and High Family photo





This undated photograph at a family gathering shows John High, Clara Ellen (Wright) High, Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, William Wright. Clara Ellen is holding son, Charlie High, and Bonnie is holding daughter Gloria Wright. In the front is Terry Wright.



Virgil Wright and Melissa High


This undated photograph is of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, along with his granddaughter, Melissa Sue High.


Birthday Party : Clara Ellen (Wright) High



This undated photograph appears to be a birthday celebration for Clara Ellen (Wright) High. If you look closely at the cake, you can make out "Happy Birthday Clara Ellen."



In the photo, from back row, left to right, are Virgil Wright, Clara Ellen High, Edna Wright. In the front are Clara Ellen's children, Charlie and Phil High.

Virgil Lee Wright & Barbara Lou Wright photo




This undated photograph is of Virgil Lee Wright and daughter, Barbara Lou Wright, next to the family car.

Clara Ellen Wright & Barbara Lou Wright



This undated photo is of sisters Clara Ellen Wright and Barbara Lou Wright. Just after the tear, you can make out the word "church", and it does appear to be a Sunday morning "going to church"-type of photograph.

Clara Ellen and Barbara Lou were my maternal great-aunts, the daughters of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.

Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968) Funeral Photos





Funeral photos of my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright. The photos are undated, but her she passed away on March 3, 1968, a Sunday, and the funeral was held on Wednesday, according to her obituary in the Alexandria Times-Tribune.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Certificate of Promotion - Virgil Wright (1912)


Above is the certificate of promotion to high school of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) from the Monroe Township Public Schools of Madison County, Indiana.
Virgil was the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright.

Muriel Wright Photo - Alexandria, IN

My great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright appears in this undated photograph, along with several other ladies. The photo does not indicate where it was taken or what they were doing. Those identified are from left-to-right : Maude Clevenger, Mrs. Thurston, Muriel Wright, Gert Cooper, and Tillie Hughes.